Red Queen



The Red Queen is a version of a specially designed weapon used by the Order of the Sword created by their chief scientist Agnus. It is unique in its motorcycle type accelerator handle which can be used to rev it up to release a flaming propellant along the blade with a powerful strike. However, it is later shown that Credo too, has a handle similar to Nero's but no evidence to show it is used for the same purpose.

The Red Queen itself is specially modified by Nero allowing it to be revved-up three times and this entire build up of exhaust can be released all at once for a single powerful blow or with separate strikes. This and several other modifications makes the Red Queen nearly impossible for anyone but Nero to wield. Judging by the shape of its blade, the Red Queen is more than likely modeled after the German Grosses Messer (lit. "big knife").

Exceed
By using the Exceed technique to rev the handle on the Red Queen, Nero can cause it to spray a flammable liquid over the blade, increasing the range and inflicted damage of its attacks, or for certain techniques change their performance entirely. This technique is performed by pressing /, and using it fills the EX-Gauge. The EX-Gauge has three slots, and one is used up every time an Exceeded attack is performed. However, the technique can be upgraded by purchasing Exceed 2 and Exceed 3, which allow the techniques modified by Exceed to use all filled slots in order to be further empowered. Though it is usually time-consuming to fill the EX-Gauge, it can be quickly filled with the EX-Act or MAX-Act abilities, used by performing Exceed at a certain time for each attack; this timing is based on when the blade hits the enemy during an attack, though it is the same if Nero is swinging at empty air. MAX-Act, which fills all three slots, will be performed if the timing is exact, though if it is off by a few frames of animation EX-Act will be performed instead, filling only one slot. Because Exceeded attacks generate more style points and inflict more damage, mastering the technique is vital to competently playing as Nero.

Trivia
In the first Resident Evil film, based on the game series also produced by Capcom, there was an AI computer named "Red Queen".

In Fallout 3, a special flaming sword known as the "Shishkebab" can be constructed, which crudely resembles the Red Queen.